Former Rangers boss Alex McLeish has hailed master tactician Neil Lennon for making Celtic Park an arena to be feared by any of Europe’s elite in the last 16 of the Champions League.

McLeish was the first manager to lead a Scottish club into the knockout stage of the modern tournament in season 2005-06, where his Ibrox team lost on away goals to Spaniards Villarreal.

He believes Lennon deserves huge praise for steering Celtic out of a demanding group and into Thursday’s draw in the Swiss town of Nyon.

EU beauty: Neil Lennon has led Celtic into the last 16 of the Champions League

While Parkhead has always been a passionate venue on European nights, McLeish insists it is Lennon’s game plans which have truly upset the opposition this season.

‘Before the start of the tournament, you would have said that the gap was bigger than in the past between the very top European clubs and the rest,’ said McLeish.

‘But now you see what Celtic have done. If they have their strongest team at Celtic Park, then no one will be safe there.

‘Their fans always want to drive them on but, tactically, they have been very astute.

‘Neil Lennon and his coaches deserve immense credit.’

Respect: Alex McLeish has hailed Lennon's impact at Celtic Park

A Parkhead draw with Benfica was followed by that famous win over Barcelona and the nerve-jangling victory against Spartak Moscow that sealed qualification.

An away win in Russia also meant Celtic were the first Scottish side to win 10 points from a Champions League group. Lennon’s side will now be paired with one from Malaga, Manchester United, Juventus, Paris St Germain, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund or Schalke as they attempt to break new ground by making the quarter-finals.

McLeish, who was in Glasgow yesterday to promote ESPN’s coverage of festive fixtures, said: ‘The fact they beat Barcelona was phenomenal.

‘You just need to look at the gulf in spending compared with some of the teams who went out of the competition with, Celtic’s £12million or so investment. That make their achievement astonishing.’